Sam's Club has the Electrolux Trilobite robotic vacuum for $499.  I'm not sure that it's worth a premium over the I-robot products, but it comes in a nice pretty red holiday box.  
 
Frankly I'm disappointed that Dyson hasn't come out with any really cool new toys, Christmas ornaments, or even a strand of Dyson Christmas lights with little light up Dyson products in various colors.

The final sale week before Christmas is shaping up to be very interesting for the big box retailers and their vacuum cleaner sales.
 
The Sunday PARADE showcases a 2 full page ad in the middle of the section exclusively by Wal*Mart for an array of vacuum cleaners and small kitchen appliances.  After the recent high level "firings" of the two marketing execs who were supposed to usher in the "upscale" and "trendy" items for the retailer, it's clear Wal*Mart is resorting back to its old ways:  Roll Back prices and Smiley Faces.  The vacuums featured include HOOVER, the FUSION of course for $98 a stalwart seller for the chain, Dirt Devils REACTION 1 and 2 billed as cyclonic uprights for $98 and $148,  EUREKA Superlite and Altima for $47 and $74, and the floorcare reliables: BISSELL ProHeat Steamer for $166, BISSELL Flip Ease for $47, HOOVER Floormate for $137, and HOOVER SteamVac EXtractor for $139.  Low prices in effect through Dec 23.  No dysons advertised this time including the Wal*Mart Exclusive Original DC07.  THis is the DC07 for $378 AND THE ONLY dyson upright with the 2 year waranty rather than 5 years.  But don't expect to see the warranty on the dyson USA site.  Dyson clearly marks the other DC07's with the 5 Year Warranty, but is conspicuously silent on the Wal*Mart model.  Saying nothing is more telling than not.
 
Will the strategy to revert back to the old Wal*Mart ways rescue the retailer's sluggish Holiday sales?  It's risky.  Let's be realistic, it was this same failing marketing strategy that brought the Madison Avenue marketing high flyers, recently fired, to Wal*Mart in the first place.
 
BEST BUY gives the latest dyson DC17 Absolute Animal a nod this week for $549 and right along side the DC15 Ball Animal for $599.  The Ball even comes with a $50 Instant Gift Card.  THe usual array of bagless are featured too, from the $99 BISSELL Momentum and $179 BISSELL Lift-Off, to the bagged Eureka Maxima for $39, Dirt Devil Swivel Glide for $49 and BISSELL Spot Bot for $129.  BISSELL gets a $20 Instant Gift Card.
 
Dyson rules for the other big box retailers too.  SEARS has the DC17 Animal Absolute for $549.  Linens-N-Things has the DC14 Animal for $549 (And don't forget the 20 percent off coupon which is good through Dec 30, 2006).  TARGET has the DC14 Drive Exclusive Target model for $459 plus a $50 Gift Card. (Quantities Limited, No Rainchecks).  CIRCUIT CITY still pushing the DC07 All Floors for $399 and no incentive save for "no interest for 90 days."  Even BED BATH and BEYOND has 20 percent off coupon Certificates good through Jan 8, 2007.  My newspaper was generous, I got several.  Are the days of the first and second generation dysons in the USA retailers winding down?  
 
A few other significant vacuum items advertised this week: The Black and Decker Pivot Vacuum at Target for $49.  This is the hand held that competes with the DC16 dyson.  (BTW, B&D revised annual sales and revenues down several times this year and still due to the flat USA housing market).  The Spot Bot from BISSELL gets featured too for $128 BEFORE a $25 Instant Target Gift Card and the BISSELL Velocity billed as "dual cyclonic" for $129 and ProHeat Deep Cleaner for $169 BEFORE a $20 Gift Card.  SEARS has the BISSELL Velocity too billed as "multi cyclonic" cleaning for $129 AND my Christmas favorite this year the Rhoomba Scheduler for $299.  
 
Some interesting facts with respect to Holiday sales: According to the Commerce Department statistics, 25 percent of big box retail sales occur in the months of November and December.  And according to NPD, 40 percent of all the annual toy sales occur during the Nov and Dec period.  And also according to NPD, Wal*Mart is the biggest toy retailer in the USA.  
 
David Oreck is taking a different tact.  He is peppering the local newspapers daily with ads of him and his vacuums for $299.  He is pictured in a winter wonderland scene and Santa chapeau.  Very dapper and stylish for the 84 year old WW11 vet.  If you think people are not buying new Orecks for Christmas, think again.  A visit to a local Oreck store is very telling.  And the likely buyers too.
 
That's a rap folks, longer than I like, but all inclusive for the final week before Christ-mas.  Remember to keep Christ in Christmas.
 
Carmine D.

FedEX Corp had its busiest day ever on Monday Dec 18, moving about 9.8 MILLION shipments............
 
But also warned that the current quarter ended Feb 28, 2007, Dec-Jan-Feb, will bring the giant's first profit decline in more than three years.
 
Average daily volume of express shipments which are moved mostly by air is poised to post its first year-over-year decline in five years.  
 
Carmine D.

Fry's Electronics, a retailer noted for low-balling even the low ball vacuum makes and models, is advertising the dyson Absolute DC17 Animal for $549 before an up to $70 instant rebate, which extends to all in-stock dyson upright vacuums.
 
Also advertised is the Roomba Discovery for $249 which includes a $30 savings (and up to $50 on in-stock robotics).
 
The sale is in effect Saturday and Sunday Dec 23 and 24.  And prices are subject to change after Dec 24.  But there are restrictions:  "Advertised prices valid only in metropolitan circulation area of newspaper in which this advertisement appears.  Prices and selection shown in the advertisement may not be available online at Fry's website: www.Frys.com.
 
The BIG WINNER in vacuum ads today, Sunday, Christmas Eve, is David Oreck, the Oreck XL21 and the 450 Oreck Clean Home Centers nationwide.  With full page color ads in the PARADE and USA WEEKEND, a festively dressed David Oreck is pitching his famous lightweight vacuum with $100 off, a 21 year warranty, and free compact canister.  
 
Retail trade watchers and analysts forecast that as many as 33 percent of the Christmas shoppers had not finished their Christmas shopping on Friday Dec 22.  David is hoping to lock in some of those last minute shopping procrastinators, who may make and/or break the Holiday shopping season.  
 
My compliments Dave.
 
Carmine D.
 
 

Merry Christmas: "Keep Christ in Christmas."
 
Retailers nationwide will be advertising after Christmas sales and year end sales commencing Tuesday Dec 26, at 6 AM.  
 
All the big box stores will be peppering the newspapers with vacuum cleaner sales.  Stay tuned to this thread on the Forum for the details.  Kohl's, Target, SEARS, even Lowe's, one of the best and final bidders recently for HOOVER, are in the lineup.
 
Carmine D.